Kenyan women produced a classy performance on Saturday, September 3 to register a clean podium sweep in the 10K race at the 2022 Birell Prague Grand Prix.
Former World Cross Country winner Irene Cheptai led her compatriots Jesca Jelangat and reigning 10,000m de Lille champion Faith Cherono to finish in the top three positions.
Cheptai who won a 10K silver medal for Kenya at the 2022 World Athletics Championship reached the tape in a personal best time of 30:16.00 to bag the title.
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Chelangat and Cherono clocked 30:23.60 and 30:56.00 respectively to finish second and third.
Esther Borura added the icing on the cake for Kenya when she bravely held on the pressure from Ethiopian runner Enatnesh Tirusew to finish fourth. The Mogonga PAG High School alumni crossed the finishing line in 31:03.66.
Brenda Jepkoech who represented Kenya at the recently concluded 2022 World Under 20 championships staged in Cali, Colombia, Vivian Melly and Sheila Jebiwott finished 6th, 7th and 8th respectively.
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In the men’s category, Moroccan international Hicham Amghar shocked a studded field that had many East Africans to win the 10K race. Amghar, who was making his debut in Prague, won the race in an impressive time of 27:24.00.
Pre-race favorite Tadese Worku of Ethiopia came second in 27:25.00 while Kenya’s Patrick Mosin settled for third. Mosin crossed the finishing line in 27:27.00.
Despite not winning the race, Kenyan male athletes dominated the top 10 positions. Seven out of the top 10 finishers were Kenyans.
Isaac Kipkemboi, Laban Kiplimo, Alexander Mutiso, Isaac Kibet, Kennedy Kimutai and former world record holder over the distance Rhonex Kipruto all finished in the top 10 positions.
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